Bagram, Afghanistan: After American forces resigned without notifying them, the Afghan army who protected the Bagram air base has been abandoned with thousands of Taliban detainees and certainty to be attacked by the enemy.
The vast military complex is at one point home for tens of thousands of US soldiers and allies, and one of the most important sites to demand a two-decade war in Afghanistan.
But the last American soldiers calmly left the base last week, effectively completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan and left massive security void that the Afghan military would struggle to fill.
The new commander of Bagram Base, General Mirassadullah Kohistani, on Monday spoke honestly about the challenges in front, because journalists were given a tour of the base which was mostly quiet.
“You know, if we compare ourselves with Americans, it’s a big difference,” Kohistani said, acknowledging his troops could not be “strong” as Americans.
“But according to our abilities …
we try to do our best and as much as possible safe and serve everyone.” The lack of clear submission plans or transitions seems to make the task more challenging.
Kohistani said he only knew from the way out of foreign troops after they left.
“We don’t know their timeline for departure.
They didn’t tell us when they left.” Only 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Kabul, the base is the temporary capital security key also provides strategic protection for most rough countries where the Taliban has focused their attack.
Kohistani stressed his troops could hold the base of the Taliban, and that he had “quite” soldier.
In fact, with around 3,000 troops under his command, the figure was a small percentage of the number of American troops and allies during the US-led glory.
For American troops, morals are maintained in a crowded mini city with swimming pools, cinemas, spas and fast food outlets Burger King and Pizza Hut.
For Kohistani people, entertainment venues are closed, the warehouse is locked and the enclosed eating facilities only offer the smell of rotten food from the expiration package boxes.
In a more concrete sign of the Afghan military ability to fight without American support, 1,000 troops against the Taliban north of the country fled to Tajikistan neighboring countries on Monday.
In Bagram, Kohistani said he had received a report that the Taliban made a “movement in rural areas” around the area.
One soldier, a rafiullah named personal, offers a clear picture of what he hopes to come.
“The enemy is determined and will definitely try to attack here,” said Rafiullah as behind him two Afghan military helicopters took off.
“But we won’t give them a chance.” If or when the Taliban attacks to take Bagram, one of their top priorities will undoubtedly become a large prison that holds up to 5,000 Taliban inmates.
“We haven’t come here to sleep.
Everyone here is ready to secure Bagram.
Our morals are high,” insisting Rafiullah.
Other soldiers also challenged said he was ready to fight the Taliban, but after all indicates a feeling of anxiety with a lack of a shootout and leadership.
“We will not give up but we need weapons and strong support from our leaders,” he said.
If the Taliban conducts control of Bagram, it will repeat the pattern of modern history that reflects the upheaval of the nation’s power.
The airfield was first built by America for Afghan ally during the Cold War in the 1950s.
The Soviet Union expanded after the Red Army stormed Afghanistan in 1979.
After their withdrawal, the base was controlled by the government supported by Moscow, and later by the government of Mujahidin who faltered during the 1990s Civil War.
It was reported that at one point the Taliban controlled one end of the runway three kilometers (two miles), and the opposition the other northern alliance.
Bagram finally fell into the hands of the Taliban after they raised the country’s big plots in the mid-1990s.
After the September 11 attacks and the US invasion to Afghanistan, America took control of the base and used it as a launch bearing for air strikes against the Taliban and to protect Afghan forces.